Online Gambling Laws in Australia

Overview of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001

The Commonwealth Government introduced the Act to shield Australians from high-risk gambling websites, while still allowing licensed and regulated providers to operate within legal limits. The core provision of the IGA prohibits offering Australians online casino services — including poker and pokies — when real money is involved. This legislation serves as a nationwide framework for restrictions, whereas states and territories handle licensing and day-to-day regulation.

Timeline

Federal and State Regulation

At the federal level, compliance with the IGA is managed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). By 2025, more than 200 unlicensed gambling websites had been blocked for breaching the law. ACMA also collaborates with advertisers, influencers, and streaming platforms to stop the promotion of unregulated gambling operators.

Each state and territory is responsible for issuing licences and tailoring regulations to their specific conditions:

• Northern Territory — recognised as the main base for corporate bookmakers, offering streamlined licensing and attracting respected betting brands.
• New South Wales — prioritises harm minimisation, strict identity checks, and transaction limits to ensure player safety.
• Victoria — focuses on developing virtual sports betting systems that comply with federal guidelines.
• Queensland — oversees both casino and bookmaker regulation through the Office of Liquor and Gaming Regulation.

Thanks to this structure, Australia’s gambling landscape has evolved into a well-regulated system with robust responsible gaming measures.

What Gambling is Legal in Australia

The laws on online gambling in Australia clearly distinguish between what is allowed and what is not:

• Sports betting: Australians may legally bet on major sports like rugby, tennis, football, horse racing, and greyhound racing. Most bookmakers operate under Northern Territory licences.
• Lotteries and instant games: Lotto, bingo, keno, and scratchies are available through authorised providers and contribute to community funding and charities.
• eSports and fantasy sports: This fast-growing field allows wagering through licensed operators approved by the Northern Territory Racing Commission or the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation.

Online Pokies, Poker, and Table Games

Games considered “interactive casino-style” — such as online pokies, poker, roulette, blackjack, and similar products — remain prohibited under the IGA. Regulators classify them as presenting “unacceptable financial risk.” Consequently, state and territory regulators cannot issue licences for these games. Many Australians, however, choose to access these casino-style experiences through offshore legal online gambling sites in Australia.

Player Protection

One of the major steps forward in recent years was the creation of BetStop, the national self-exclusion register launched in 2019. This program promotes safer gambling habits by allowing individuals to exclude themselves either temporarily or permanently. BetStop operates alongside Gambling Help and other support services designed to assist those at risk.

All licensed operators are required to include visible links to BetStop, Gambling Help, and other responsible gambling resources as part of their compliance obligations.

Key Takeaways for Punters

Although gambling laws in Australia impose tough requirements on operators, they still give players considerable freedom:

• Australians are free to register, deposit funds, and place bets online.
• Sports and racing wagers are legal through licensed betting agencies.
• Lotteries, eSports, and fantasy sports are permitted activities.
• Online casino games — such as pokies, poker, blackjack, baccarat, and roulette — are prohibited within Australia’s borders.
• Players can protect themselves through national self-exclusion tools like BetStop.

At first glance, these laws may appear complex or overly restrictive. However, their purpose is to protect Australian players and promote safe, regulated gambling experiences. While casino-style gaming remains restricted locally, sports betting, lotteries, and racing continue to thrive, with most online pokies and poker options offered by offshore operators.